Padma Awards nominees

Former India cricketer Dravid, who retired last year after playing 164 Tests and 344 ODIs piling up more than 24,000 runs in international cricket

Former India cricketer Dravid, who retired last year after playing 164 Tests and 344 ODIs piling up more than 24,000 runs in international cricket, was the only cricketer named for the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award.(Pic: Getty Images) ()

Former India cricketer Dravid, who retired last year after playing 164 Tests and 344 ODIs piling up more than 24,000 runs in international cricket, was the only cricketer named for the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award.(Pic: Getty Images)

Jaspal Bhatti, the genial sardar who not just brought on a smile but also provoked introspection with his biting wit and satire, has been posthumously named

Jaspal Bhatti, the genial sardar who not just brought on a smile but also provoked introspection with his biting wit and satire, has been posthumously named Padma Bhushan honour on the eve of 64th Republic Day. ()

Jaspal Bhatti, the genial sardar who not just brought on a smile but also provoked introspection with his biting wit and satire, has been posthumously named Padma Bhushan honour on the eve of 64th Republic Day.

The 62-year-old, Nana Patekar who began his career with 1978 movie "Gaman", carved a niche for himself in the Hindi films with 1989 film "Parinda"

The 62-year-old, Nana Patekar who began his career with 1978 movie "Gaman", carved a niche for himself in the Hindi films with 1989 film "Parinda" for which he even won a National Award, has been named for Padma Shri award on the eve of 64th Republic Day.

The 62-year-old, Nana Patekar who began his career with 1978 movie "Gaman", carved a niche for himself in the Hindi films with 1989 film "Parinda" for which he even won a National Award, has been named for Padma Shri award on the eve of 64th Republic Day.